Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-09-23
THE RAIN MAKER.

impetuOus south wind had blown across
the sandy fields and rocky slopes, flaming
them drier and drier with it's hot wings
while vertical and all embracing sur
seemed perpetually on the poislt of re
kindling from without the extinct fires OF
the old volcano.
Under an arbor in the Dominican con-
vent, on the Isles DIES Moines, sat the good
Fathers Temple, Rosie, Bournot and
Fraiza, gazing sadly out toward their per,
ishing gardens, upon which depended
their winter store of maize and beans, and
murmuring against the saints who, de-
spite their prayers, accorded them no sue
cor.
''The very pumpkins have stopped
growing" complained Pere Temple, "and
the melons, I fear, are past help, even
should rain fall within an hour"
''There is not the faintest promise that
it will rain within twenty-four hours, u
said Pere Rosie, turning his eyes up to
the binding blue vault upon which no
shadow of cloud appeared cit is very
hard that the innocent must suffer thus
with the guilty. The good Lord not only
sends his rain alike upon the just and the
unjust, but withholds it equally from the
faithful servant and the impudent trans
gressor. Who among us has failed to fast
and pray, or to pay his dues of service,
that our gardens should perish like those
of the wicked?''
cit is true" sighed Father Bournot.
s'The age of miracles seems indeed past.
The saints no longer show forth the power
and glory of God by those signal favors
with which they were wont to distinguish
the true believer from the infidel bias
phemer."
"We have taken it upon ourselves to
fight in the forefront of the battle against
heathendom,'' said Father Temple, pious-
ly, 'and we must not complain if God
proves us by trials more severe than those
laid upon us in our own land; rather
should we be melted thereby to the greater
fervor and vigilance, that for our sakes the
island may be delivered from total de-
struction."
While the good fathers talked thus
among themselves Saat, the little negro
servant and protege of Father Fraize,
rigidly erect behind his master, listened
Attentively.
At the close of Father Temples pious
admonition Saat gravely advanced, and,
placing himself with respectful obeisance
in front of the monks, began to speak with
great 0drueSlueSS.
Now Saat spoke in tongue unknown
to any present save his master, Father
Fraize, who had lived for many years as
missionary in the kingdom of Juda, in
Guinea, whence indeed he had but re-
Gently returned, bringing Saat with him.
The other monks looked with surprise al
the nesrillon, who, ordinarily extremely
well behaved, had never before intruded
hot in, HI e,+,,o
fashion. Father Fraize, however, smiled
indulgently upon his protege, and, turn
ing to his brethren, said
''Saat is really making good progress
in the French tongue. He has understood
your complaints of the drought, and he
offers with your permission to bring rain
upon your gardens at once"
''The little pagan!'' exclaimed Father
Temple. "Does he imagine we will per-
NIT his heather sorceries here?''
''You must remember that he does not
yet fully understand the difference be-
tween the ceremonies of our religion and
the superstitious rites of his own people, -
returned the Pere Fraize, alphabetically.
''You know that in his country there are
professional rain1nakers''-
eyes, yes" interrupted Saat, this time
in his difficult and imperfect French,
which he found far too slow for important
communications, "Saat's grandfather big
rainmaker-very much strong. Saat, too,
make rain come when you want HIM"
He fixed his great eyes, black and shin
ing as two balls Of polished jet, upon his
master, with an expression eager and
earnest, which bespoke the fullest conf
dence in his ability to perform what he
promised.
81 fear you have difficult subject
there, Brother Fraize,' said the Pere
Temple. "The boy plainly believes him
self sorcerer by birthright, and such is
the passion for the supernatural in the
human mind that it is doubtful whether
the salvation of his own soul would be a
prize sufficiently great to induce him to
relinquish his wicked entertainments. :"
''But it is very remarkable, the power
some of these people really seem to pos
sess,'' said Father Bournot, diverted from
his grievance against the saints by the
remembrance of miracles by no means
sanity II remember when was preach
ing mission at Laomentin, two years
ago, there was negro conjurer there who
predicted the death Of woman within
four days, and in effect she did die on the
fourth day"
S'Died of fright, no doubt" returned
Father Temple ga weak intellect and a
strong Imagination might very well bring
about the fulfillment of such a predic-
tion.''
sNo imagination-not even the strong
est-however, could have detained one of
the ships of M. lie Comte de Gennes in
the harbor for six weeks" replied Father
Bournot.
''Tuti tut! you are too credulous, my
brother,' said Father Temple. 81 have
never believed in that miraculous deten-
ton, Notwithstanding the grave assevera-
lions of the Pere Labat."
''But it is true" affirmed Pere Rosie
81 myself saw the ship lying there as if
nailed fast, and, moreover, the hearts and
ivers of the sailors who died under the
curse of the black witch were found as
empty as balloons"
$50 they WERE" confirmed Father
Bournot, ''and the same black witch
could, without touching them, eat out the
hearts of melons securely locked away in
the pantry leaving the skins unbroken. "
Father Temple responded only by a deris-
i've laugh, but Father Fraize, who was no
great talker, although he too must have
seen some wonderful things, interposed.
Suppose, them" he said, "instead of so
much fruitless discussion which, after all
decides nothing, you let Saat make trial
of his powers.
At the mention of his name Saat, who
seemed to have relinquished hope of his
offer being accepted, looked up with re-
newed eagerness.
''No, no." quickly objected Father Tenn
pie, sit would be sacrilege to permit such
heathenish rites within our walls"
81 am very doubtful whether he could
succeed" remarked Father Rosie, '1for
his helpers being undoubtedly evil spirits,
could have no power to enter within con-
secrated limits.''
ssYou forget that evil spirits may enter
wherever they are made welcome" said
Father Temple, land to give our consent
that their Servant should invite them
would be nothing less than to invite them
ourselves
Nevertheless, if they gave us rain, we
should be the gamers by so much" said
Fofho,, -F,,,iu